Bangkok does not have anything like London’s Oxford Street, or Paris’sMarais, New York’s 5th Avenue, or Singapore’s Orchard Road. However there are areas where street and night markets are located. These are along the main business, entertainment and tourist areas of Silom, Sukhumvit and Siam Square; in these areas you will find an abundance of market-shopping opportunities.
Silom/Patpong
Perhaps the most famous and popular of the night markets is Patpong it opens for business at 7pm every night and seems to close when the last customer has decided to call it a day.
Anything is available from a “reproduction” Rolex watch, Mont Blanc pen, clothing, cheap CDs and DVDs. But remember to bargain and bargain hard, the first price is simply an opening bid, treat it like a Dutch auction and you can’t go wrong. If the price isn’t right then walk away, there are more vendors nearby who will be only too willing to consider your best price. Patpong market spills into Silom where there are more stalls to be browsed and picked over.
Suan Lum
Just a few minutes walk away is the Suan Lum night bazaar a different market altogether; it is more ordered with traditional-style shops rather than market stalls. A bit more difficult to get a bargain here and that is reflected in the better quality of the goods. Suan Lum opens at 6 pm until midnight.
Suan Lum has many restaurants and cafes, and a massive beer garden with live music and bands. The Joe Louise Puppet Theatre is not to be missed.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
The doyen of Bangkok’s markets is Chatuchak, also known as JJ or the weekend market. This enormous and sprawling complex is open every Friday night and Saturday and Sunday; Chatuchak has rows of stalls selling jeans, shoes, shirts right through to fine art, table wear, electrical goods and pets.
Out of Print Books, Ephemera, Stamps etc
Those looking for a second hand or out of print book may well spend a few useful hours browsing through the many second hand book stalls and if lucky will strike Eldorado and turn up that coveted item. There are vendors devoted to stamp, bank note, coin and ephemera collecting. For antique collectors then this is the place to be, but beware that what is called an antique may be a very good imitation however there are still good deals to be had but be prepared to bargain and bargain hard.
Bargaining
Many of the stall-holders are open to bargaining and some expect it, others use a fixed price system and frown on any kind of bargaining. It definitely helps to take a Thai friend along and let them do the talking, better still if you have a passing acquaintance with the Thai language use it, you may get a bargain for simply trying.
Chatuchak is a Bangkok must-do experience. Chatuchak market opens at 7 am but it is best to get there around 8.30 am. The Skytrain and subway will take you to the market for the Skytrain the station is Chatuchak and for the subway get off at either Phaholyothin or Chatuchak Park.
